Rules and Regulations

Wildlife Management AreasThe Division of Natural Resources assumes no responsibility for any personal
property used or left on any area. If
such property is abandoned or left unattended for more than 48 hours the
Division may remove and dispose of the property in accordance with applicable
provisions of the West Virginia Code.

General

All areas are open year-round.

The Division of Natural Resources assumes no responsibility for any personal property used or left on any area. If such property is abandoned or left unattended for more than 48 hours the Division may remove and dispose of the property in accordance with applicable provisions of the West Virginia Code.

Camping on wildlife management areas is permitted in designated areas only. Campsite rental fees must be paid before occupying the campsite.

Fires are permitted only in fireplaces, fire rings, or grates provided on the area or in other areas as designated by the Division. No fires may be left unattended.

Grazing livestock on a wildlife management area is illegal without first obtaining a special use permit from the Division.

Loud or excessive noise, disorderly conduct, or other disturbances are prohibited.

It is illegal to cut, damage, deface, or destroy any building, rock, shrub, sign, tree, or other property on a wildlife management area.

It is illegal to remove any man-made or natural object from a wildlife management area, except game and fish legally taken during the open seasons as prescribed by 58 C.S.R. Objects which may not be removed include, but are not limited to, animals, plants, rocks and minerals, sand, and historical or archaeological artifacts.

Only portable tree stands may be used on public lands.

Special Regulations

No person may create a shoreline development of any kind on the lands and waters under the administrative control of the Division within the boundaries of Stonecoal Wildlife Management Area.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited within the boundaries of the West Virginia State Wildlife Center at French Creek.

Bicycles and Horses

Only permitted on roads normally open to public travel and on designated routes as posted on the area.

Groups of 10 or more people must obtain a permit from the District Wildlife Biologist or area manager prior to riding on any designated route.

Group size will be limited to a maximum of 25 people.

Competitive events are not permitted on wildlife management areas.

Group use is prohibited during spring gobbler season and between October 10 and December 31 except on Sundays.

No more than two groups may use a designated route on a wildlife management area during each daylight period.

Horses are not permitted in designated camping areas.

Where horses are kept in concentrations to create a solid waste problem, the owner(s) shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of any waste produced by the animal(s).

Any horse feed brought onto a wildlife management area must be locally obtained or be pelletized horse feed.

Vehicles

The maximum speed limit for vehicles is thirty (30) miles per hour unless a lower speed limit is posted.

Drivers must observe all other traffic signs or directions as posted on the area.

Driving any vehicle in a manner which creates a nuisance to others by repetitive or continuous cruising is prohibited.

The use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorbikes, and snowmobiles is prohibited except where specifically permitted by posted signs on designated roads and trails.

Driving any vehicle, ATV, snowmobile, or motorbike in a manner so as to harass, chase, or annoy any animal or bird is prohibited.

Any person violating any of these rules and regulations shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 20 of the Code of West Virginia and such other laws as may be applicable. Wildlife management area boundaries are marked with blue paint and/or metal boundary signs.

Public Shooting Ranges

Hours of operation are posted at entrance to each range. No person may use the range except during posted hours. Range may be temporarily closed by the District Wildlife Biologist or the WMA Wildlife Manager.

All posted safety rules must be obeyed.

Glass or metal containers can’t be used as targets. Only paper, clay, or metal silhouette targets may be used without prior approval; others must be approved by District Wildlife Biologist or WMA Wildlife Manager.

After use, all targets must be removed from the range or disposed of in containers provided at the range.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. No person may handle a weapon while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or other drug.

No one under 16 years of age, unless they possess a valid WV hunting license, may use the range unless directly supervised by an adult (18 years of age or older).

All firearms must be unloaded and firearm handling must cease while any person is forward of the firing line.

Firearms may be loaded and discharged only at established shooting stations.

Firing line is defined as the line directly in front of and parallel to the shooting benches.

No person may move forward of the firing line until all firing has ceased, all users have acknowledged an “all clear” command, and all firearms have been unloaded and placed on the shooting benches.

Firearms must be pointed downrange at all times.

Use of fully automatic firearms is prohibited unless authorized by the District Wildlife Biologist.

DNR-Owned or Leased Public Boating and Fishing Access SitesPublic boating and fishing access facilities shall be used solely for the purpose of launching and retrieving watercraft or fishing from shore. No other use of access sites is allowed.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages or possession of an open container of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

Swimming or bathing, camping and open fires are prohibited.

Trash disposal is prohibited, except where trash receptacles are provided.

Discharge of firearms, fireworks and explosives is prohibited.

Leaving unattended watercraft is prohibited.

Commercial use of any public boating and fishing access site is prohibited, except as authorized by the Director.

Parking of any vehicle or the mooring of any watercraft in such a manner as to obstruct any avenue of ingress or egress, except for the purpose of launching, is prohibited.

Any law enforcement officer acting under proper authority may prohibit an individual from launching a watercraft.

After launching, vehicles shall be parked in available parking spaces.

Limited AreasArea is limited in availability but may be used as access for other opportunities.